The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-01-27
METHODIST MINISTERS.
Closing Proceedings of the Rssecia-
ton.
Chestnut Streets Reception to
Bishop Walden.

The Association convened at a. m. yes
terday. One hour was devoted to prayer
service, conducted by Rev. John Cobb.
AT 10 o'clock tle order of the day was
taken up, and Bishop Walden was invited to
speak upon the resolution offered yesterday,
concerning matters pertaining to the man
agement of Chattanooga University.
A very full and candid explanation of the
facts which have excited so much discussion
was given by the Bishop, who has sustained
an intimate and official relation to the work
of the Freedmens Aid Society, from the
time of its organization.
A general discussion of the question was
deferred for lack OF time. The resolution
was laid on the table, and will doubtless re-
ceive further consideration at another time.
Chebeague was fixed upon as the place of
the next meeting of the Association.
Reports from the various churches were
made by the pastors as follows
Kennebunk Depot-Good class and church max
Ing good spiritual progress
Biddeford-Many conversions through the year.
South Berwck-RepOrts increasing interest.
New church built last year.
Chebeague-Charge moving along well. Some
conversions the past year. New church and par
sonage.
TUT. NlldSc-hcNlNdl Interest lHIOuRHOut Tie
year. Four-fitths who are at home and able go to
class.
Woodfords-Series of meetings in October with
Kennebunk- Charge is in an encouraging con
ditiOn.
Congress street-Good interest and good spir-
AFTERNOON.
The devotional exercises were conducted
by Rev. H. b. Mitchell The fourth topic
of the programme was taken up. "The duty
of the pastor to non-church-goers."
DR.. J. w. Bashford spoke earnestly and
eloquently upon this subject. Mr. Bashford
hoped the members might be brought to con-
tributing tenth of their incomes in place of
renting pews and outside begging. He
wanted strangers welcomed and good pews
reserved for them, and the pastor and mem
bers call on them; the cities to be canvaSsed
for non-church goers, and the names referred
to the pastors that. country pastors should
visit every family and interest them in the
church. In one neighborhoOd in Cumberland
County there are AZ families and only seven
claim to ever attend church, and this was
but sample of other localities. In Aroos-
took % towns and plantations have no min
listers, they have population as 6571 and
increased over 81 per cent between 1870 and
1880, and he hoped the evangelical churches
would try and reach these people.
L. =
lent essay on the same topic.
Rev ii. b. Mitchell closed the discussion,
alludlng to certain pastoral methods that are
calculated to arrest the attention and win
the favor OF those who are not friendly to
the church and the cause 1t represents
Rev. +. A. Bragdon treated the subject of
Church Fairs-their Use and Abuse" in
which he took the ground that entertain
ments OF proper character are not only al
lowable, but desirable. RI
Revs. III. 4. A. Patterson and b. Freeman
presented reviews OF Rev. A. b. Simpsons
tract, entitled The Faith of God" which
were generally accepted as able refutations
OF the positions taken by the author of that
| tract.
Rev. II. Chase substituted the tract of DR..
simpson for the essay he was appointed to
| present.
Rev. j. NJ. Woodbury. briefly expressed his
| views upon the teachings of the tracts and
was followed by Others in general discus
| sion of the same
The Association then adjourned
| The ladies of Chestnut street church ten
dered reception to Bishop Walden in the
evening A large company assembled at an
early hour, who, when called to the tables,
dld justice to the ample provision that had
been made for needs of the outer man.
After an opportunity had been given those
assembled to greet the Bishop, the company
| was seated and an hour was given to speak
ing, Rev. G: J. Clark spoke of Portland
Methodisnl," Rev; w: s. Jones of Method
ism in Portland District" Rev. Ezra Tinker
Of 'Methodism in Maine compared with that
| Of other States" and Hon. j. A. Locke of
The Laymen of Methodism."
Bishop Walden then spoke of the i'm
| pressions he had received during his visit
and bis qualification at the evident prosper
| ity of the church in this community
The Bishops visit has proved source of
great encouragement to the churches in this
community, and the kindly manner and
Christian spirit that has characterized his
intercourse and the ability and wisdom dis
| played in his public addresses have produced
| a most favorable impression,